The Washington Husky football team held 3 days of Spring Football Practices while it was still winter.  Now, the team is off until April 3rd, but here are 5 things that were evident in the first 3 days of Spring Football.

–The Eddie Effect—Edefuan Ulofoshio missed a good portion of two season, three counting the 4-game Covid-shortened 2020 season.  He’s played in just 14 games in those three years, starting nine.

He won’t be taking anything for granted saying that being back on the field is a blessing.

“I can’t do anything about September right now,” he said about reearning the starting position.  “I just have to focus and be the best player I can be today.  Keep stacking those days and see where we get to.  Not being entitled, not thinking that if we do the work were going to get it.  We’re going to have to earn everything.”

For Ulofoshio, ”earning it” still means turning in the lights in the film room like when he was a walk-on.  Except now he’s waking up at 4 am to do it.

That blue-collar mentality is rubbing off on his fellow defenders as they begin to reestablish a defensive identity.

–JaMarcus Shephard loves football, not just coaching receivers, the entirety of the game.  Whistle-to-whistle he’s all over the field not just tracking his receivers but also coaching up DBs.

And when he’s not coaching someone up he’s hyping everyone up–including reporters.

After a long completion from Dylan Morris to Denzel Boston who used all of his 6-4 frame to go high up over a defensive back, a clearly jazzed up Shephard strutted his way down the sideline chanting, “I love football!  I love football!  I love football!”

As practice ended he greeted reporters with a fist bump on his way out of Dempsy Indoor Arena.

–Germie Bernard will push for playing time.  When it comes to an eye test the Michigan State transfer passes with flying colors.  He’s listed at 6-0 and 200 pounds, but looks to be in the 205-207.  The part that I noticed was his thighs, and that is why if I were a betting man I’d be putting money down on him.

The one thing that I noticed in the Alamo Bowl was that on 5-6 routes Husky receivers were guided out of bounds by Texas DBs.  He caught several balls throughout the first 3 practices from both Morris and Penix and clearly fits into this offense.

Of the receivers I was able to get a closer look at both Bernard and Ja’Lynn Polk look the part of big contributors.  I didn’t get a close enough look at Taj Davis or Denzel Boston but both made some great catches.

He should be on the field in some 3 receiver sets and most 4 and 5 receiver sets.  I don’t expect that there’s going to be any real pecking order established until Boise State rolls into town September 2nd.

–Dillon Morris’ best days are once again ahead of him.  The one-time starter won’t be sharing backup reps with the departed Sam Huard this spring.  His growth of the past 15 months under DeBoer was evident in the first few plays of Spring Football Day 1.

Sure, it wasn’t live football and the defense was breaking in new DBs, but he displayed touch, accuracy, velocity, and trajectory.  He continually put short passes into spots where only his receiver could catch it, but also backed off of the velocity that led to many incompletions 2 seasons ago.

–Theseus Dixon will be a major contributor this season.  What stands out about the Long Beach City College transfer is his size.  Listed at 6-1 and 190, his build is similar to former Husky DB and 1st round NFL draft pick Desmond Turfant.

He was matched up against Washington’s top receivers and held his own.  Had the ball not been so well-placed he had no shot at a play, but he proved to be sticky and physical.  A few off-season months in the care of strength and conditioning guru and his 190 pounds will likely be 195 by the start of the season.

The extra weight compliment his height and bode well for games against the conference’s bigger receivers.

The Huskies will resume Spring Football Practice on April 3rd.